Carson Palmer still not practicing
Posted by Mike Florio on August 24, 2009 8:47 AM ET

Last year, the elbow of Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer ended up significantly limiting his season -- and dramatically impeding his team's chances.

This year, Palmer's ankle is keeping him from getting ready for the games that count.

He suffered what has been described as a "mild-to-moderate" high ankle sprain in the preseason opener against the Saints. And Palmer hasn't practiced since then, missing the preseason game against the Patriots.

Per Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Palmer missed practice again on Sunday, and he might miss the next preseason game, on Thursday night against the Rams.

"If last week had been a regular-season game, he probably would have played," coach Marvin Lewis said. "But we are going to continue to be cautious, because it is just preseason. We'd like him to get some more time with our first unit, and I think we will do that before the preseason is over. But the most important thing is to have him 100 percent for Denver."

Still, it's one thing to be 100 percent healthy. It's another thing to be 100 percent prepared. After missing most of last season, Palmer needs all the reps he can get in order to get back to the form that has made him one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Furthermore, with Philip Riversís big contract extension yesterday in San Diego, there are only two first-round picks from 2004 still playing under their original contract - Vince Wilfork and tight end Benjamin Watson, both Patriots.

Adam Schefter, of ESPN, reports Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre appears to have little support from teammates at this point, according to a league source. Favre has created a division within the locker room. Some players believe QB Tarvaris Jackson gives the team the best chance to win while others believe QB Sage Rosenfels gives them the best chance to win, according to sources.

A lot of players probably despise the fact that Favre skipped training camp while they were working their asses off and then he comes right in and is handed the job and then talks about not having his legs underneath him and not having timing with the WRs....the kind of stuff that training camp is for.

A lot of players probably despise the fact that Favre skipped training camp while they were working their asses off and then he comes right in and is handed the job and then talks about not having his legs underneath him and not having timing with the WRs....the kind of stuff that training camp is for.

The Titans signed former Steeler Nate Washington with the idea that he could step into their starting lineup, beginning with a Week One game against his former team.

That plan may be have to be scuttled after Washington's recent hamstring injury. The Titans have been tight-lipped, but Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean writes that "while [Washington's] injury isn't the season-ending variety, it's probably unrealistic to think he'll play against the Steelers."

Wyatt wouldn't be surprised if Washington is out for "several" games, which makes it sounds like the receiver has more than your usual hamstring strain.

Washington's absence highlights a lack of depth in Tennessee's wideout group. Rookie Kenny Britt will be asked to take on a starting role, and the bench behind him is rather uninspiring.

Maybe the team can line up Alge Crumpler out wide. Very wide.

It's more likely that Tennessee will look hard at players cut by other teams before the season starts, or investigate what's available on the trade market.

A lot of players probably despise the fact that Favre skipped training camp while they were working their asses off and then he comes right in and is handed the job and then talks about not having his legs underneath him and not having timing with the WRs....the kind of stuff that training camp is for.

Now they have to play patty cakes trying to get him up to speed.

Add to that the fact that he's getting $12 million and it's understandable why some of his teammates aren't all that thrilled.

Its a travesty that he's getting that much money when he claims all he's playing for is another Lombardi trophy. What a crock of crap.

Dude is getting $12 million! He Brett, if your soooo interested in just winning another Lombardi why don't you play for the vet minumum you baffoon?!?

Just moments after we posted on 49ers tackle Marvel Smith possibly retiring, Mike Florio has confirmed through a league source that Smith is, indeed, through with football.

Smith was originally expected to start at right tackle, but his back problems wouldn't allow it. It's uncertain if Smith earned any guaranteed money from the 49ers, but the team did include clauses in their contract with Smith to protect them from injuries.

Smith won two Super Bowl rings in nine seasons with Pittsburgh, and started throughout their championship run after the 2005 season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars remain interested in acquiring Kansas City quarterback Tyler Thigpen, and the Chiefs are certainly open to trading him. That mutual interest has not cooled and sources close to the situation maintain this trade could still occur.

Scott Pioli, who runs the Chiefs, is asking for a third-round pick for Thigpen, which is an awful lot for a third quarterback. However, with newly crowned — and compensated — starter Matt Cassel there, Thigpen isn’t getting the reps and having Thigpen around, should Cassel falter, could create a QB controvery, something the rebuilding club would not welcome.

Jacksonville first offered a sixth-round pick for Thigpen, then upped it to a fifth and they remain strong possibilities. Thursday night the Jags QBs went a combined 17-for-31 for 171 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. David Garrard has been shaky as a starter for a while now, and they don’t have a dependable backup on the roster. Thigpen had been nursing a rib injury but is likely to play Saturday night. Other teams like Thigpen, too, but Pioli’s demand in this case is steep.

League sources continue to suggest that should Pioli be unable to get that third-round pick, Jacksonville is a prime candidate to pull something else, with a fourth-rounder possibly the happy medium in all of this.

The Jacksonville Jaguars remain interested in acquiring Kansas City quarterback Tyler Thigpen, and the Chiefs are certainly open to trading him. That mutual interest has not cooled and sources close to the situation maintain this trade could still occur.

Scott Pioli, who runs the Chiefs, is asking for a third-round pick for Thigpen, which is an awful lot for a third quarterback. However, with newly crowned ó and compensated ó starter Matt Cassel there, Thigpen isnít getting the reps and having Thigpen around, should Cassel falter, could create a QB controvery, something the rebuilding club would not welcome.

Jacksonville first offered a sixth-round pick for Thigpen, then upped it to a fifth and they remain strong possibilities. Thursday night the Jags QBs went a combined 17-for-31 for 171 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. David Garrard has been shaky as a starter for a while now, and they donít have a dependable backup on the roster. Thigpen had been nursing a rib injury but is likely to play Saturday night. Other teams like Thigpen, too, but Pioliís demand in this case is steep.

League sources continue to suggest that should Pioli be unable to get that third-round pick, Jacksonville is a prime candidate to pull something else, with a fourth-rounder possibly the happy medium in all of this.

I'd pull the trigger a third for Thigpen. Kid's a gamer for a measly third.

Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris selected the seventh-year pro over Luke McCown on Saturday, saying Leftwich held an edge going into training camp and retained it with steady -- if unspectacular -- play through three preseason games.